Johnson Books

I always find it interesting to study the life of someone before they were famous. Whether it is a writer, artist, singer, or serial killer. Later, you can see how fame changed their life. I found it fascinating to learn of Burroughs living in South Texas, in many ways the most "un-beat" area of the country, a place that to paraphrase Burroughs, people come to die. However, even without a connection to South Texas, the book is an excellent read. I missed an appointment, sleep, and my favorite tv show to finish the book.

Great book. Very interesting read on a part of South Texas History.

i found it an interesting aspect of burroughs life. a cotten farmer in south texas is 180 degrees out from new york city or london or paris. i have read burroughs extensively. this a lost chapter in his life. kudos to the writer for doing the research.

Just finished Greg Fuller's(et al) book on the (above) subject and I must say that this was an outstanding job accomplished. Long time needed.

We have often worked track trained searchers with dog handlers and have had good luck when they click together as a "team". This book helps work your man-trackers and dog handlers toward a search team concept that tends to be missing in todays SAR Unit.

Check it out ... I believe that Greg has lit on something that the ground SAR world needs to take a look at...

Keep your SAR Team, beating the brush and being active "team" members. Help them stay focused on the "team" concept without dividing into "my resource is better than your resource" camps. Allowing us to expose our SAR members to skills and tools that tickle their desire ... to be all that they can be, while avoiding building "empires" of these specialized SAR interests.

This book is written to maintaining your SAR "TEAM" to the benefit of the lost subject.

Reads easy and doesn't rub any raw spots (if you know what I mean ;)

This book will assist you, as a SAR member (or SAR Coordinator), from becoming too singularly focused on one SAR resource and this should be to the end advantage of more successful reunions of the lost person and their families.

Good job Greg!

As a military tracker I found a lot of the information in this book applicable. Currently the military tracking program only entails visual trackers without argumentation from scent dogs, this is complete 180 from the mid-seventies when the Army maintained dedicated tracker team with visual and scent tracker capabilities. The military still utilize search (scent) dogs but the handlers are no longer given any instruction in the visual art of tracking. I believe that the use of dogs used with visual trackers is an excellent tool (not in all tactical scenarios) and it provides, both the dog and tracker to work to their fullest potential by complementing each other skills and attributes. Basically the dog can only follow a specific scent on the ground or in the air, but cannot read signs left behind by the "quarry". This is were the visual tracker comes in; he is trained to judge sign through reduction and deduction, obtaining valuable information from the sign. With this book it will introduce the pair and explain some of the misconceptions and expectations of both. It also covers skills, tactics and management for employment of both in a SAR environment. For its small size there is lot of information, what I really liked in particular was the end book matter; glossary, appendix, and index. All were very useful an in-depth. For a finale note this is geared toward SAR (search and rescue) but most of the information carries over to the tactical tracker, which by the way can be used in a CSAR (combat search and rescue) operation. Well worth the buy!

Having worked in this arena the tactics detailed and depicted in this book work. Having a place in which to go to get the perspectives of what the other is capable of has been needed for a long time. Working with a dog team is a practical use of each others skills and also lets the reader (if a student of tracking) know what it is they need to work on in order to become the best they can be. The book is full of usefull, practical information for both sides of the fence. Those resources in the field as well as the search manager. Excellent, to the point, time proven, non bogus information.

Part II of Mercury Rapids by Steven Johnson. What can I say!
I loved it! A really good read that followed smoothly from the first book. The author has kept all the main characters true to the first read so you can pick it up and feel right at home with them. The story is exciting and keeps you wanting to turn that page to read more! If you have read Mercury Rapids then you will know that Steven Johnson's writing style is excellent and this second installment is no exception, another top read. Can't wait for part III!
Simon Murphy Author of: THE VALENTINE ROSE & THE MURDERS OF MUTCHROSE VILLAGE.

As a long time fan of science fiction I realize that there are two sorts of scifi books. The first fills the pages with so much technology jargon that the reader feels that having degrees in electronics and physics are a prerequisite, the second type concentrates on the characters and leaves the engineering schematics as a background. Happily the Mercury Rapids series by Steve Johnson fits into this second type.

Mercury Rapids: The Thoth Imperative is the latest book by Steve Johnson and the second book in his Mercury Rapids series. When reading this series you should be advised to find a nice quiet nook and most importantly a comfy chair with seatbelts. I think the author should officially change his name to Steve "actionman" Johnson.

The Thoth Imperative takes the reader for a rollercoaster ride as the hero, Bill Lewis, races from England to a secret area in the U.S. surviving attacks and abductions by aliens along the way. The plot twists and turns while the reader is left gasping and thankful for seatbelts on comfy chairs.

However the two things that impress me the most about the writing of Steve Johnson is the dialogue between his characters which is superb and utterly realistic, and he has an incredible sense of humor that shines through.

If you like science fiction, action, or just plain out and out good reading then this series is a must have! Just don't forget to install those seatbelts first!

This is my follow-up to Mercury Rapids. The action takes place where the first book left off, but this time Bill Lewis finds himself struggling to save the world (not to mention his sanity) from not only the Greys, but their powerful new ally...

All the main characacters from the first novel are back and some new ones are introduced. Shocks abound and the twists and turns of the story will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end.

Enjoy!

Accurate reading level. It is often difficult to find books that boys enjoy - this is it. My girl students enjoyed it also, but the boys loved it.

This book is very informative for young children. It it easy to read and has many facts about bugs within. A fairly short and fast read, children will like to read it over and over.

This book will make kids laugh and churn their stomach too! Full of incredible bug facts, it is perfect for studying insects! Penner really does simplify science by writing with a text that is fun and easy to read. Gross, fun and informative! The illustrations almost look more real than photos!

Monster Cheese is a really fun book. I read it to my young cousins at a family party and they were hooked! The character of Sam reminded me of someone I know. :-)
I realize this book is hard to find but well worth the search!
Kudos to Steve Wolfson for writing such an interesting story!

What a great book! The story is so much fun; this just has "bedtime story" written all over it. Kids will get a kick out of Sam's adventures and parents will enjoy going along for the ride. A must read!

With its gripping tale of cheese run amok, it does a great deal to hamper the image of dairy products. However, it does so in with ingenuity and originality that takes it beyond the level of run-of-the-mill child literature.

The king will select the most special person in his kingdom. Who will it be? This book, along with some of Dr. Michael Johnson's other selections, was introduced to me at a training workshop for teachers. This was a most inspirational experience! This book is a MUST read for all teachers. It should be in every school and public library. Moreover, if you ever have a chance to hear Dr. Michael Johnson in person please go and listen to him. He is one of the most motivational speakers I've ever heard. He would be great for any school administrator looking for a way to "jump start" your teachers through professional development.

Dr. Johnson presents a lovely story, but the last page of the book is the most important. If parents and children would practice these principles, the school systems in our nation would be very different. This book should be in every school library AND every public library across the country. It is the perfect gift for a teacher, and also makes an appropriate memorial or honor book for public libraries.

This is an excellent gift book for teachers! Every teacher should own one! It is also a good book to read to your children and grandchildren. I am a fourth grade teacher and read this book in my classroom. They just loved it!

It's "The Fugitive," geriatric-style, in Deb Baker's third Yooper mystery featuring sixty-six year-old Gertie Johnson. When a bank robber misguidedly attempts to rob the bank (not the brightest decision in a town where nearly all the citizens fulfill their right to bear arms) and is shot dead, you would think that the case would be closed. It would be if not for the fact that no one is owning up to shooting the robber, and while the bank is showing a loss of funds the bag of money held by the criminal was from a Monopoly game. With the sheriff, Gertie's son Blaze, suffering from Malaria-induced Vietnam flashbacks that make him even less helpful than usual, the replacement deputy is bent on solving the case; especially when al the evidence seems to point towards Gert. A body is left by her pickup truck with her son's weapon left by the corpse, so Gert goes on the lam aided and hindered by her best friends and mother-in-law. Wigged out, undercover, and destroying a few law enforcement vehicles, Gert is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence.

Once again Baker creates a delightful mystery with a heroine who is feisty, strong, and never a caricature. Despite its cast of comical and unique characters the plot never takes a second seat and carries the reader swiftly through to the end. Full of humor with a surprising amount of emotional resonance as Gert finds herself isolated and persecuted, Death Talk Turkeys continues to entertain in this strong series with completely original characters and a fun plot.

If you haven't read Deb Baker's other Yooper mysteries, you are way behind. I loved MURDER PASSES THE BUCK so much I went out and found Deb at a booksigning to tell her that she'd captured the characters in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Yoopers) dead on. Whether real or creations of Deb's mind, they're rugged individuals with heart and humor. Gertie and her friends will charm you even if you've never been north of Detroit.

I introduced my husband to the series, and he read as eagerly as I. We waited anxiously for MURDER GRINS AND BEARS IT and even longer for MURDER TALKS TURKEY. Neither was a disappointment. Gertie is true to herself and always in trouble, and the surrounding cast of characters, the setting, and even the crimes they solve are all top-notch and great fun, so enjoy.

Although I have several of her Dolls To Die For Mysteries on my bookshelves, Murder Talks Turkey is the first Deb Baker novel that I've read, actually. What a hoot! Yep, her other books have now moved waaaaaaaay up on my TBR list. I'll admit, before reading this book, I had NO clue as to the definition of a Yooper - in fact, I don't believe I've ever heard the term before. Shocking, eh? Deb Baker does the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and its inhabitants proud.

Having spent the majority of my life in places in the West where absolutely everyone over the age of 10 knows how to use a firearm - the enclave of quirky characters residing in Stonely, Michigan totally resonates with me. Gertie Johnson, 66-year-old grandmother and widow, along with her good friends Cora Mae and Kitty, make up the Trouble Buster Investigative Company. Although their business is in its infancy, they have garnered their first real paying client - sort of. The investigation has barely gotten off the ground, when the Stonely Credit Union is robbed, with Gertie and Cora Mae inside. The robber is brought down by gunfire, but the real mystery begins when none of the sheriff's men take credit for the kill, and the dead robber is found to be holding a bag full of play money.

What transpires is a testament to Murphy's Law, "what can go wrong, will go wrong," and it does - with a vengeance. It reminds me of when one hears a story that is so incredibly unbelievable that it just might be true. Who could make up this stuff, you know? Gertie gets herself in so much hot water that there doesn't seem to be ANY way out, but with the help of her good friends and family (even the irascible Grandma Johnson), Gertie manages to come out smelling like a rose, albeit a bit worse for wear.

The book is very fast paced - I read it in just an afternoon. The characters are full-bodied and enjoyable, and Gertie's sarcastic wit had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. The ending portends interesting things to come - I'll definitely be on the look out for the next Yooper Mystery!

Carol Ann Hopkins 5/5/2008

The main idea is to be proud of your mom. David is nervous because his mom is going to his school. My favorite part is when the mom dances. It is funny. I would recommend this book because you do not know if your mom is good or not at sharing.

By: K.R.
Age: 6
Los Angeles, CA.

The main idea is to believe in your family. My favorite part is when the mom was danceing. I would recommend this to a friend because if some body embarress you are still the same.

By: B.W.
Los Angeles
Age: 6

I really enjoyed this book, as did my neice, for whom I purchased it. I think the "Booklist" and "Kirkus" reviews were a little off-the-mark and misleading--the illustrations were excellent and I didn't feel the ending was 'pat' at all. I bought this book on recommendation from a friend, and would recommend it to other friends.

eventhough the cover is of a grandmother and her granddaughter, my son enjoys this book. He loves his grandma

This is a really beautiful book; I gave a copy to my mother for the grandchildren, and had to get more copies for other family members. When my mother saw it she grabbed it and held it to her chest. The illustrations are warm, and the story is really sweet. This is definitely a favorite in our collection of books.

This is a lovely picture book representing a strong bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. There are sweet little surprises found in the pictures...every time I read the book to my daughter we find something new. It is an easy read for a young child, simple text with warm pictures.

The captions at the bottoms of every page describe the beasts and what they are known for. There are all kinds of things in here from Chinese Dragons to Mermaids to Sphinx. The pictures are well detailed.

The captions at the bottoms of every page describe the beasts and what they are known for. There are all kinds of things in here from Chinese Dragons to Mermaids to Sphinx. The pictures are well detailed.

Beautiful, detailed pictures. Information on every page tells what the creature is and what it is known for. Creatures range from Chinese dragons to mermaids to a sphinx.